If you’re
looking for an inexpensive set of poker chips, I’ve got
a suggestion. Use pennies. Not penny poker, rather just use
pennies as markers, or chips. They can represent quarters or
dollars or five-dollar bills, depending on your stakes. That’s
what we did when we were in high school. They’ve got a
lot going for them. They’re cost effective. Unlike quarters,
they’re accessible as there is usually an old jar full
of them just lying around. And, they’re durable –
just try to break one. The only downside is the vulnerability
to the occasional unscrupulous buddy sneaking a few into a game,
but those types tend to stick out and they usually aren’t
invited back.

Pennies are
great for kids. In fact, we believe they’ve got a lot more
style than cheap poker chips. When you show up for a game and
you find out they are using pennies as markers for dollars, you
get the sense this is a no-nonsense game. There’s no pretension
going on here. This is an understated, honest crowd. In this game,
it’s all about the cards. Idiots are tolerated, so long
as they bring cash, lose it quickly, and move on.

Poker games
with cheap poker chips are often times a whole different story.
When you show up for a game and the host brings out a 1970s-style
carousel of plastic chips, cardboard-like chips, or knockoff
clay chips, you immediately get the sense you’re in for
a long night. If you look around, there are good odds you’ll
see wood paneling on the walls. Saving a few bucks is one thing,
but please pick your battles. Just use pennies. Cheap poker
chips are a lot like a cheap suit. Either get a nice suit, or
go casual. Everybody can respect the fact that casual is casual.
You’re not pretending to be something you’re not.
You can’t say the same for a cheap suit. Cheap poker chips
are no different.

Poker is
a classic game with hundreds of years of rich history behind
it. Those who know and appreciated the game know it’s
about tradition. They know it’s about camaraderie. They
know it’s about excitement. And they know it’s about
excellence. It can be a competitive battle of wits among formidable
opponents. It can be an intoxicating mix of good friends, good
drinks, and fine cigars. Real poker players know the money game
is just a scoring system that keeps everybody honest. Real players
know it doesn’t matter whether you play for dimes and
nickels or for twenty-dollar bills. It’s all about the
action.

Poker is
most definitely not about a bunch of hacks that barely know
the rules, sitting around a wood paneled room playing with imitation
plastic chips. It’s not about 2s, 3s, and 9s being wild.
It’s not about getting comfortable with the idea that
it’s ok to lose your money time and time again, and that
you’re just paying for the entertainment value. And it’s
not about showing up in your cheap suit.

As far as
the chips are concerned, they can either add to the tradition
and excellence of the game, or detract from it. If you want
to save some coin, use pennies. If you want to add a little
style to your game, invest in a set of nice chips. Whichever
path you choose, get comfortable with it because poker chips
last a lifetime, even the cheap ones.